Batting

Gainesville, FL – In yet another classic duel between Santa Fe and St. John's River State College, the Vikings came out on the winning end, defeating the Saints in 14 innings via a walk off homerun, capping their third rally in five innings. SF won the the first game of the series 1-0 in Palatka.

Santa Fe starter Robert Girgis struck out the first five batters he faced and didn't run into trouble until the fourth when St. John's plated two on a homerun. SF fought back from the early 2-0 hole to tie the game in the seventh with a Bo Seccombe pinch hit homer.

The NJCAA #19/FCSAA #3 Saints (20-8, 4-2 MFC) broke the tie in the ninth with a run and handed the ball to closer Troy Bacon who had yet to allow a run in 22 innings of work this season. The Vikings managed to do what no one else has done and scored a run against Bacon to send the game to extra innings.

In the 12th inning the Saints scored a run but again the Vikings tied it up in the bottom of the frame.

Two innings later it looked like the Saints may again lock up a win when they scored a run in the 14th.

Facing their third deficit of the game, the Vikings rallied in a big way, hitting a three run walk over homer to win it.

The two teams will face off again on Friday, March 17 at 3:00 PM in Gainesville.